Wee Beng Chong (born. 1938, Singapore)
A key figure in Singapore’s art history, Wee Beng Chong’s practice
embraces a diverse range, including printmaking, bronze, mixed
media sculpture, oil and ink paintings and alternative materials. Wee
is an influential figure in the arts for several decades. He co-founded
the Modern Art Society Singapore in 1963 and the Shi Cheng
Calligraphy and Seal Carving Society. He is also advisor to many art
societies in Singapore.
The forward-thinking artist has been conferred numerous awards and
accolades in Singapore and overseas for his artistic excellence and
contributions. He was the first visual artist to receive the Cultural
Medallion when it was launched in 1979. He also received many
prestigious awards including International Prize for Modern Art in
France, the President’s Award, International O.A.C Exhibition in
Japan, Certificate of Honour, The World Famous Chinese Artists in
Appreciation of Outstanding Professional Competence in Fine Arts,
China. His works are among the collections of local and overseas
corporations.
In addition to his art practice, Wee was also an avid educator. He
has been teaching in NAFA for the last 31 years, and served as Head
of Department of Fine Art from 1982 to 1989. Today he remains
active in the faculty, serving as a Senior Teaching Fellow. Wee
started his formal art training at NAFA from 1955 to 1958 where he
mentored under pioneer artists such as See Hiang To, Cheong Soo
Pieng and Chen Wen Hsi. After holding four consecutive solo
exhibitions, he left to further his art studies at L’Ecole Nationale
Supérieure des Beaux-Arts between 1964 and 1969, diversifying into
sculpture studies. During his sojourn in Europe, Wee had held solo
exhibitions in Berne, Paris and Hamburg. His eighth solo exhibition
was held in 1970, a retrospective for the young artist who was then
only 32 years old. His 11th solo was at NAFA several years ago. His
latest solo No 12th) is held at Nanman Art.
BIOGRAPHY
WEE BENG-CHONG (born 1938 in Singapore)
Media:
Sculpture, Chinese Painting, Chinese Calligraphy, Seal Engraving, WoodCarving, Oil Painting, Acrylic, Water Colour, Ceramic Plates, Finger Painting,
Print-making, Sketches,
Mixed Medium, Lithograph.
Education:
1955-58 Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore; 1964-69
Studied at
L'Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts-Paris, France (Department of
Sculpture).
Solo Exhibitions
1961 - 1st One-man Art Exhibition (in aid of the Chung Hwa Free Clinic),
Singapore
1961 - Art Exhibition of Paintings by Wee Beng Chong, The Singapore Art
Society, The Society of Chinese Artists and The Chee Chiang Association in
June
1963 - 3rd One-man Seal-Carving, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition,
Muar Art Society, Muar, Malaysia
1965 - 4th One-man Oil Painting Exhibition in June, Berne, Switzerland
1965 - One-man Seal-Carving, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition,
Paris
1968 - 6th One-man Art Exhibition in September, Germany Art Gallery, Hamberg,
Germany
1968 - 7th One-man Art Exhibition in September, Modern Art Society
1970 - Wee Beng-Chong Retrospective Art Exhibition (Work from 1950-1970) in
July, Modern Art Society
2003 - "Trajectories : The Oeuvre of Wee Beng-Chong", supported by Lanting Art
Society and NAFA in September
2014 - Solo Art Exhibition of Wee Beng-Chong, Nanman Art, Singapore
Group Exhibitions:
Participated in numerous group exhibitions and contemporary international art
exhibitions in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Paris,
London, Moscow, New Zealand, China, USA, Indonesia, Canada etc. Chinese
Calligraphy exhibited in various areas of China
and many other countries.
Awards:
International Prize for Modern Art (France); Certificate of Appreciation
(Singapore); Pingat Apad, Angkatan Perlukis Ancka Daya (Singapore); Modern
Art Creativity Award (Singapore); Cultural Medallion Award, Ministry of Culture
(Singapore); 2nd International Calligraphy Award (Singapore); 3rd Asean
Sculpture Symposium And Workshop (Indonesia); Modern Art Award
(Singapore); Academy Awards (Long Service) 1981-1993 (Singapore); Certificate
of Appreciation (Korea); Certificate of Honour - The World Famous Chinese
Artists in Appreciation of Outstanding Professional Competence in Fine Arts
(China); Certificate of Honor - Outstanding Achievements to Chinese Culture
(China); Gold Medallion Award (Singapore); Academy Awards (Long Service)
1981-2001 (Singapore); Distinguished Alumni
Medal 2010 (Singapore).
Publications
1961 : An exhibition of paintings by Ng Beng Chong
1968 : Wee Beng Chong
1970 : Paintings, sculptures, seal-carvings, sketches, calligraphy, ceramic plates,
chinese paintings & water colour by Wee Beng-Chong
1976 : Yue wu mu man jiang hong ci : Huang Ming Zong zhuan ke
1996 : Seal-engraving by Wee Beng-Chong